The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe declared a state of emergency due to a propane fuel crisis but it was too late to help an woman on the reservation.

Debbie Dogskin, who was reported to be in her 50s, was found dead inside her home. She was unable to fill up her propane tank due to rising prices, a council member confirmed.

About 5,000 homes on the reservation, which straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border, rely on propane. The price has more than doubled in recent weeks as temperatures have dropped.

Get the Story:
Woman's death blamed on cold (The Bismarck Tribune 2/5)
Fort Yates Woman Reportedly Freezes to Death (KXMB 2/4)
Propane crisis continues on Standing Rock Reservation (AP 1/31)
Amid propane shortage, federal gov. releases assistance funds (RFDTV 1/31)

An Opinion:
Editorial: Propane shortage has real impact (The Bismarck Tribune 1/31)

Related Stories:
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opens shelters in subzero weather (1/30)